Infants of Narcotic Addicted Mothers: Developmental Status, Maternal Care, Home Environments and Interventive Efforts During the First Three Months of Life.

Derrick, Sara M.; Hock, Ellen

This study compared infants born to narcotic addicted mothers with infants born to nonaddicted mothers and described the potential of an intervention program. Infants of five addicted women were matched with infants of five nonaddicted women on the basis of age and socioeconomic class of the mothers and on the basis of gestational ages, birth weight and Apgar scores of the infants. Data collection and intervention were performed during three time periods. During Phase I addicted women were solicited and interviewed from drug treatment centers for participation. During Pase II mothers were interviewed in hospitals and infants were assessed neurologically and developmentally. Phase III began in the infants' homes at age one week and terminated at age three months. Four types of homemade materials were employed for perinatal education. Pre and post maternal care and home environmental assessments were performed. Infants differed significantly along several dimensions on the basis of maternal addiction status. After intervention infants exhibited increases in alertness, motor maturity, self-quieting behavior, and mean Bayley Mental and Motor scores. (Author/MP)